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Grease Goddess sought to lead Athens attempt at toga-party world record; must cook, toga provided

Helen.jpg

The 2013 Athena, Grease Goddess, Helen Carter, is a local volunteer and great cook. Organizers of the Athens Grease Festival are seeking nominations for the 2014 Grease Goddess. (Contributed by Athens Grease Festival)

Organizers of the annual Athens Grease Festival, a quirky food festival that encourages toga wearing, are seeking a particular kind of "goddess" to lead the Sept. 27 fest, which includes an attempt to break the record for the World's Largest Toga Party.

The third annual Athens Grease Festival, hosted by the Spirit of Athens, has been approved by the Guinness Book of World Records to attempt to break the record, which is 3,700 toga-wearers in one location, said Holly Hollman, festival spokeswoman.

The festival, a celebration of fried foods and the Greek origin of the city's name, is sponsored in part by Fox 54, City of Athens and the Limestone County Commission. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the downtown square and features a frozen turkey toss, fried food contest, Dub's Burgers Eating Contest, toga contest, music, children's art activities and a mechanical bull. AL.com, assisted by Athens fire and Rescue, is sponsoring a "Will it fry?" challenge in which readers suggest odd foods to fry and then taste them. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for those ages 3-12 and free for 2 and younger. Wear a toga and get $1 off admission. Story continues below.

A local woman chosen to be Athena will lead the opening parade and preside over the festival.

"How can we attempt to throw the largest toga party without an Athena?" festival chair Betsy Hyman.

The 2013 Athena, Grease Goddess was Helen Carter, who has worked to better the community for decades.

"My idea was a woman who has similar qualities as the Greek Athena, a woman who protects our community because she has a willingness to give back to the City of Athens," Hollman said.

Carter served 25 years as director of the Council on Aging and volunteers with various agencies and boards such as Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments, Mental Retardation Authority, Foundation on Aging and Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives. She also works with Care Assurance for the Aged and Homebound (CASA), City of Athens Relay for Life, Limestone County Department of Human Resources' special projects and her church at Elkmont Church of Christ.

"Carter makes great fried okra and fried chicken, too," Hollman said.

Festival organizers are looking for a Limestone County woman like Carter who is involved in the community, such as volunteering within the city through non-profit organizations, serving on city boards, supporting environmental projects, working with youth or supporting the arts.

"And since this festival is about honoring how our Southern mothers and grandmothers made cooking an art form, our Athena, Grease Goddess should be a good cook," Hyman said.

To nominate a Limestone County woman, visit www.athensgreasefestival.com. Forms also will be available at City Hall at 1806 Wilkinson Street, at U.G. White Mercantile on The Square and on the city's website at www.athensal.us. Deadline for submissions is 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17. Judges from Fox 54 will choose the winner, whose identity will be revealed prior to the festival.

"Athena could be a student, a teacher, coach, CEO, mother, grandmother or athlete," Hollman said. "She could be any young lady or woman who gives back to make Athens a better city."